Can-opener.



C. D. HAYDEN.

CAN OPENER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1917.

Patented July 2; 1918.

WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEY cuts: a; meets, or team, seamen @AN-OPEIETEIL Application filed June 5, 1917.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CLAUDE D, HAYDEN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Curtis, in the county of Frontier and State of Nebraska, have invented new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in can openers, the object of the invention being to provide a can opener of simple construction which is adapted to cut ofi. the entire top of a can and which can be readily adjusted for use on cans of various sizes.

The invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of a can opener constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.

Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view of the same.

In the embodiment of my invention a handle bar 1 is provided which is made of flat metal and is provided at the inner end with a centering prong or point 2 which is adapted to be driven down through the center of the top of the can, the handle bar being also provided on its upper side at its inner end with a knob 3. The bar is also provided witha longitudinally arranged slot 4 which has adjusting notches 5 in one side.

On the under side of the handle bar 1 is a cutter bar 6 which is also preferably made of flat metal and which is connected to the handle bar by a pivot 6 which is arranged to operate in the slot 4 to permit of longitudinal adjustment of the cutter bar as well as pivotal movement thereof, having opposite flattened sides 7 which permit longitudinal movement of the pivot in the slot when the cutter bar is at right-angles to the bar 1, said pivot entering one of the adjusting notches 5 and preventing longitudinal movement of the pivot by permitting turning movement thereof and pivotal move ment of the cutter bar when the latter is parallel or approximately parallel with the bar 1. The cutter bar is provided at its inner end on the under side with a cutter plate 8 which is riveted thereto as at 9 and which is also secured by the bolt which forms the pivot, The cutter plate is provided at its inner end, whwh extends bey nd the 1. 1. 1 1" Specification of rates east.

the said pivot 'Patenteaaa1y2,' ms;

Seria1No.172;998:

end of the cutter bar, with a substantially triangular blade or cutter 10, which has a sllght downward bend to enable it to out below the top seam of the can.

The operation of my improved can opener V is as follows: The prong or point is first driven in the center of the top of a can, the cutter bar is adjusted according to the diameter of the can and is then turned in line with and arranged under the bar 1, such movement of the cutter bar causing the point of the cutter to enter one side of the can; The user holds the can with one hand and with the other grasps the bar 1 and the cutter bar and turns the device entirely around the can thereby causing the cutter to completely cut off the top of the can as will be understood.

Preferably the starting point of the cut is made in the left hand side of the vertical scam in the can wall and terminates at the opposite sides thereof and if it be desired to entirely remove the can top the same can be broken by bending the top backward andforward a few timesas will be understood.

My improved can opener permits the entire removal of a can top so that the can can be used for other purposes such as a drinking vessel or the like, after the contents of the can have been used or removed.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of my invention I would have it understood that changes may be made in the form, proportion and construction of the several parts, without departing from the spirit of my invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1 1. In a can opener, a handle bar having a prong near one end thereof tobe driven into the center of the can top, and a cutter bar having a cutter at its inner end to cut the side'of-the can below the top, said 'cutterbar being arranged under the handle bar, and 100 means including a'pivot whereby thecutter bar is adjustably pivotally connected to the handle bar, the axis of the pivot being at right angle to the plane of said bar.

2. A can opener comprising a straight 105 g flat handle bar having a prong near one end thereof to be driven into the center ofthe can top, said handle bar also having a longitudinal slot and notches at one side'of's'aid sl t, a putter bearing gain t the under s de I L 9 of the handle barand having a cutter at its enter one of the notches and prevent longiinner end, and a pivot connecting the cutter tudinal movement of the cutter bar when the bar to the handle bar, said pivot having flatlatter is proximately parallel with the ban 10 tened opposite sides which permit longitudidie bar.

5 nal movement of the pivot in the slot when In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. the cutter bar is at right-angles to the han- V dle bar, said pivot being of such width as to I CLAUDE D. HAYDEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0." v 

